Chlorophyll and Primary Productivity of Some Green, Freshwater Sponges

Abstract

Abstract Relationships between ash‐free dry weight, viable chlorophyll a and pheopigments a were examined by linear regression analysis for non‐gemmulating and gemmulated Spongilla lacustris and for an unidentified, non‐gemmulating species. The primary productivity of S. lacustris was determined by both oxygen and 14 C techniques and expressed on a biomass, chlorophyll a , and area basis, and the photosynthetic efficiency was calculated. The proportion of algal photosynthate excreted by the sponge was investigated, and the transfer of algal photosynthate to the sponge was examined by autoradiography.